Maine high school cancels football team’s season

Last month, three high school football players from different states died after sustaining injuries on the field. One school has now decided enough is enough.

Camden Hills Regional High School (Maine) had its own share of issues, and piled on top of what has already been a rough year on high school football fields, administrators wanted to play it safe. After the third game of the season, the school abruptly cancelled the rest of the year as well as next season.

“Unfortunately, dwindling numbers of players have created a serious safety issue, and we are simply not willing to put any more students at risk, “ said Camden Hills principal Nick Ithomitis in a news release.

“We did not feel it was safe to put a young team, compromised by injury, with relatively low numbers on the field knowing it was likely they’d be hurt, possibly seriously hurt,” said superintendent Maria Libby in an open letter.

“Our players sustained numerous injuries, two of which landed in the Emergency Room. Some of our players were afraid to go in, although that won’t be admitted publicly, and I understand why.”

Athletic Director Steve Alex said a JV team might be created for next year and the school would revisit the possibility of fielding a varsity team in a couple years.

A high school disbanding its football team out of fear of injury isn’t all that uncommon, especially when programs have limited numbers or lack of experienced players. Maplewood Richmond High School in Missouri did the same thing earlier this summer due to limited numbers.

Click here to read the complete story from The Boston Globe.